Solar and the RTT: What's the most common setup?

[davepen]

When outfitting a vehicle with an RTT and solar, what's the most common configuration?

1. Use the vehicle battery
2. Use a separate, dedicated battery
3. A combination of 1 and 2
4. Something else

I am planning my RTT/vehicle setup now and the only experience I have is with my boat, which uses option 3.

Thanks all!

 

[broncobowsher]

Define the electrical needs first. How much battery is needed? Now you can decide if you need a separate battery for those.
IF you just need power to charge a cell phone and maybe 30 minutes of LED dome light. Don't need anything. Maybe add a touch of solar to top it off during the day. That would be more useful if you spend multiple days parked.

But add anything that takes power, especially anything that takes it over a long time. Now you need a dedicated battery to run it. Now how to charge this battery. Will you be parked multiple days and need solar? Or do you hit the road daily and can just use the alternator to charge? IF you are always on the move, no need for solar. But if you stay put, need something to replenish the battery.

 

[NatersXJ6]

Running fridge and winch and 200 watts of solar on a single group 27 marine battery that also starts the Jeep... so Option 1. I moved the RTT to a trailer with another group 27 battery that only runs the RTT and the trailer as needed (brakes, some LED lighting)... while that can charge through the Jeep, I don’t really count on it, and stead use a battery charger between trips. Maybe solar some day, but I doubt it.

 

[davepen]

Thank you for the replies.

My truck has dual batteries to support the diesel engine (heater grids, mostly). I'm not sure if I want to alter that system to support external charging/discharging since it wasn't really designed for that. I guess I need more specific vehicle knowledge in that regard.

My power requirements are going to be pretty modest, and for short periods of time. Based on my boat (2 x 120Ah, switchable), I know that to be adequate, but that system was designed for what I am attempting to replicate. Maybe that's my answer.

I was also just curious what others were using based on the options I outlined above.

Thanks again.

 

[jays0n]

With my trailer I built a dedicated 2 battery bank in a tongue style, locking tool box to be charged with the 100W solar panel and also by the built in dual bank charger (for when AC power is available). I run many LED lights (some controlled by wireless key fob), RV water pump, ARB fridge, inverter for small AC loads, linear actuators for raising/lowering the RTT rack, etc. My tow rig as dual batteries but I wanted to keep them separate for simplicity sake. I keep it plugged in while home so I have a full charge before I leave for a trip. I also have a 50w panel on the roof of the tow rig, that will run the ARB fridge on it's own when it's installed in the tow rig. Check out my build for more detail, this is an older photo of the inside of the box.